Cats keen to avoid smack in middle

SHANE O’Bree says Geelong’s VFL midfield will face a stern test when it confronts the Casey Demons on Saturday.

Both teams are undefeated after the opening three matches but the Demons know the conditions at their home ground well and the cooler winter temperatures are expected to hit players between the eyes when they take to Casey Fields.

O’Bree (pictured) said Casey presented a fresh challenge for Geelong, which was riding high after a strong showing against the Northern Bullants last week.

“They (Casey) have got a pretty mature group and their midfield especially is mature,” O’Bree said.

“So we are expecting a pretty contested game of footy. That is where they have been beating most teams — around the ball — and the footy has been living in their forward half so it is going to be a good challenge for our boys.

“The Sydney game we were obviously challenged a fair bit with the travel and that side of things but we haven’t really been challenged (otherwise) and it is something our boys are looking forward to, so hopefully we go pretty well.”

Fixtures for VFL games in Round 7 and 8 were released on Friday, with Geelong set to play a “curtain closer” against Collingwood at the MCG on May 29.

That clash comes right before the VFL and AFL Cats have a week off for the bye, and O’Bree said getting the schedule was perfect as the club looked to get game time into listed players prior to the rest.

“If we could work it out like that every week it would be great so that every AFL player gets a game and can showcase their stuff for the following week,” he said.

“It is great the AFL has allowed this, and even just playing on the MCG is a buzz. Even last week playing on Marvel, we would only have had half a dozen guys who have played there, so getting exposure to that is exciting for the group.”